Josh Allen delivered a memorable opening night at the Buffalo Bills’ new home, leading Buffalo to a 41-31 victory over the Detroit Lions in the first regular-season game played at the team’s new $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium.
The Bills quarterback accounted for five touchdowns Thursday night, throwing three touchdown passes and running for two more as Buffalo improved to 2-0.
Allen Takes Over the New Stadium
Allen wasted little time making history.
He scored the first touchdown in a regular-season game at the new stadium with a 1-yard rushing score early in the first quarter.
The Bills then built a commanding early advantage, scoring on each of their first four possessions and taking a 21-0 lead during the second quarter.
Allen finished the night completing 20 of 31 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns.
He was also dangerous on the ground, rushing for 69 yards and two touchdowns.
It marked the sixth five-touchdown game of Allen’s NFL career.
Bills’ Offense Starts Fast
Buffalo’s offense dominated early.
Josh Palmer caught a 43-yard touchdown pass, while Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid also caught touchdown passes from Allen.
Running back James Cook added another big performance, rushing for 134 yards and scoring a late touchdown that helped secure the victory.
Buffalo finished the game with 446 total yards of offense.
The Bills’ 41 points were also the third-most scored by an NFL team in the regular-season debut of a new stadium.
Lions Fight Back
Detroit refused to disappear despite falling behind early.
Quarterback Jared Goff completed 26 of 38 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns.
Amon-Ra St. Brown was one of Detroit’s biggest offensive weapons, finishing with nine catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta also caught touchdown passes.
Detroit eventually cut Buffalo’s advantage to 34-24 during the fourth quarter, but the Bills responded with Cook’s late touchdown to put the game away.
A Historic Night in Buffalo
The game was more than another early-season NFL matchup.
It marked the first regular-season game inside Buffalo’s new $2.1 billion stadium, with a packed crowd watching the beginning of a new era for the franchise.
And Allen provided Bills fans with a performance to remember.
After opening the season with four touchdowns in Buffalo’s victory over Houston, Allen followed it with five more against Detroit.
The Bills will remain home for their next game, hosting the New England Patriots on September 27.
Detroit will return home to face the New York Jets the same day.